ght he to have submitted, and so avoided all these
perils?

"No!" he finally decided; "I won't give up the ship yet. I am about as
badly off as I can be; I am without a cent, and don't know where my
next meal is to come from. But my luck may turn--it must turn--it has
turned!" he exclaimed with energy, as his wandering glance suddenly fell
upon a silver quarter of a dollar, nearly covered up with the dust of
the street. "That shall prove a good omen!"

He stooped over and picked up the coin, which he put in his vest pocket.

It was wonderful how the possession of this small sum of money restored
his courage and raised his spirits. He was sure of a dinner now, at all
events. It looked as if Providence was smiling on him.

Two miles farther on Carl overtook a boy of about his own age trudging
along the road with a rake over his shoulder. He wore overalls, and was
evidently a farmer's boy.

"Good-day!" said Carl, pleasantly, noticing that the boy regarded him
with interest.

"Good-day!" returned the country lad, rather bashfully.

"Can you tell me if there is any place near where I can buy some
dinner?"

"There ain't no tavern, if that's what you mean. I'm goin' home to
dinner myself."

"Where do you live?"

"Over yonder."

He pointed to a farmhouse about a dozen rods away.

"Do you think your mother would give me some dinner?"

"I guess she would. Mam's real accommodatin'."

"Will you ask her?"

"Yes; just come along of me."

He turned into the yard, and followed a narrow path to the back door.

"I'll stay here while you ask," said Carl.

The boy entered the house, and came out after a brief absence.

"Mam says you're to come in," he said.

Carl, glad at heart, and feeling quite prepared to eat fifty cents'
worth of dinner, followed the boy inside.

A pleasant-looking, matronly woman, plainly but neatly attired, came
forward to greet him.

"Nat says you would like to get some dinner," she said.

"Yes," answered Carl. "I hope you'll excuse my applying to you, but your
son tells me there is no hotel near by."

"The nearest one is three miles away from here."

"I don't think I can hold out so long," said Carl, smiling.

"Sit right down with Nat," said the farmer's wife, hospitably. "Mr.
Sweetser won't be home for half an hour. We've got enough, such as it
is."

Evidently Mrs. Sweetser was a good cook. The dinner consisted of boiled
mutton, with several kinds of vegetables. A cup of tea and